Association between walking space and physical activity for hospitalized patients with stroke: a cross-sectional study

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the associations among physical activity, sedentary patterns, and walking spaces in patients hospitalized after stroke. [Participants and Methods] This cross-sectional observational study included 52 patients (mean age, 72.6 ± 11.3 years) hospitalized following stroke. A triaxial accelerometer worn at the waist on the nonparetic side was used to estimate the time spent in sedentary behavior, light intensity physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. Duration of sedentary behavior was categorized into two groups (either short bouts of 1 to 29 min or prolonged bouts of 30 min or more). Walking ability was categorized into four groups: Group D, walking dependence; Group R, walking independence within the room; Group W, walking independence within the ward; and Group F, walking independence within the facility. [Results] Groups W and F showed significantly longer durations of light intensity physical activity and shorter durations of prolonged sedentary behaviors (more than 30 min) compared to Group D. No differences in light intensity physical activity, sedentary behavior, or prolonged sedentary bouts were observed between groups R and D. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that walking ability was significantly associated with time spent in sedentary behavior and light intensity physical activity. [Conclusion] Increasing physical activity levels during hospitalization in patients with stroke depends not only on walking independence but also on the extent of available walking space.